Jeremiah 44:21
New International Version
“Did not the LORD remember and call to mind the incense burned in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem by you and your ancestors, your kings and your officials and the people of the land?

New Living Translation
“Do you think the LORD did not know that you and your ancestors, your kings and officials, and all the people were burning incense to idols in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

English Standard Version
“As for the offerings that you offered in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your officials, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them? Did it not come into his mind?

Berean Standard Bible
“As for the incense you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem—you, your fathers, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land—did the LORD not remember and bring this to mind?

King James Bible
The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?

New King James Version
“The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and did it not come into His mind?

New American Standard Bible
“As for the smoking sacrifices that you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your forefathers, your kings and your leaders, and the people of the land, did the LORD not remember them, and did all of this not come into His mind?

NASB 1995
“As for the smoking sacrifices that you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your forefathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them and did not all this come into His mind?

NASB 1977
“As for the smoking sacrifices that you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your forefathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and did not all this come into His mind?

Legacy Standard Bible
“As for the smoking sacrifices that you offered in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not Yahweh remember them and did not all this come upon His heart?

Amplified Bible
“The smoking sacrifices (incense) that you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem—you and your forefathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land—did not the LORD remember [in detail your idolatry] and did it not all come into His mind?

Christian Standard Bible
“As for the incense you burned in Judah’s cities and in Jerusalem’s streets—you, your ancestors, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land—did the LORD not remember them? He brought this to mind.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“As for the incense you burned in Judah’s cities and in Jerusalem’s streets—you, your fathers, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land—did the LORD not remember them? He brought this to mind.

American Standard Version
The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not Jehovah remember them, and came it not into his mind?

Contemporary English Version
Don't you think the LORD knew that you and your ancestors, your leaders and kings, and the rest of the people were burning incense to other gods in Jerusalem and everywhere else in Judah?

English Revised Version
The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Doesn't the LORD remember that you burned incense in the cities of Judah and on the streets of Jerusalem along with your ancestors, your kings and your officials, and the people in the land?

Good News Translation
"As for the sacrifices which you and your ancestors, your kings and your leaders, and the people of the land offered in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem--do you think that the LORD did not know about them or that he forgot them?

International Standard Version
"As for the sacrifices that you, your ancestors, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land offered in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, the LORD remembered them, did he not? And they came to his attention, did they not?

Majority Standard Bible
“As for the incense you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem—you, your fathers, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land—did the LORD not remember and bring this to mind?

NET Bible
"The LORD did indeed remember and call to mind what you did! He remembered the sacrifices you and your ancestors, your kings, your leaders, and all the rest of the people of the land offered to other gods in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
"The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your leaders, and the people of the land. Did not the LORD remember them, and did not it come into his mind,

Webster's Bible Translation
The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?

World English Bible
“The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, didn’t Yahweh remember them, and didn’t it come into his mind?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“The incense that you made in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you, and your fathers, your kings, and your heads, and the people of the land, has YHWH not remembered it? Indeed, it comes up on His heart.

Young's Literal Translation
'The perfume that ye made in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your heads, and the people of the land, hath not Jehovah remembered it? yea, it cometh up on His heart.

Smith's Literal Translation
The incense which ye burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye and your fathers, your kings and your chiefs, and the people of the land, did not Jehovah remember them, and it will come up upon his heart?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Was it not the sacrifice that you offered in the cities of Juda, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and Sour fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, which the Lord hath remembered, and hath it not entered into his heart?

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Was this not the sacrifice that you offered in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your leaders, and the people of the land, which has been called to mind by the Lord and which has entered into his heart?

New American Bible
As for the sacrifices you offered in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem—you, your ancestors, your kings and princes, and the people of the land—did not the LORD remember them? Did it not enter his mind?

New Revised Standard Version
“As for the offerings that you made in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your ancestors, your kings and your officials, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them? Did it not come into his mind?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, your kings and your princes and the people of the land, it was that incense that the LORD has remembered, and it has come into his mind.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“That incense of sweet spices that you offered to her in the towns of Judea and in the streets of Jerusalem, you and your fathers, and your Kings, and your Princes, and the people of the land, that LORD JEHOVAH has remembered, and it came up on his heart
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The offering that ye offered in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye and your fathers, your kings and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into His mind?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Did not the Lord remember the incense which ye burned in the cities of Juda, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, and your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land? and came it not into his heart?
Audio Bible



Context
Calamity for the Jews
20Then Jeremiah said to all the people, both men and women, who were answering him, 21“As for the incense you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem— you, your fathers, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land did the LORD not remember and bring this to mind? 22So the LORD could no longer endure the evil deeds and detestable acts you committed, and your land became a desolation, a horror, and an object of cursing, without inhabitant, as it is this day.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 7:17-20
Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? / The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven; they pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger. / But am I the One they are provoking? declares the LORD. Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame? ...

Jeremiah 19:13
The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.”

Isaiah 65:3-5
to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick, / sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs and polluted broth from their bowls. / They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.

Isaiah 66:3-4
Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations. / So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”

Ezekiel 8:9-18
Then He said to me, “Go in and see the wicked abominations they are committing here.” / So I went in and looked, and engraved all around the wall was every kind of crawling creature and detestable beast, along with all the idols of the house of Israel. / Before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. ...

2 Kings 17:9-12
The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. / They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. / They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger. ...

2 Kings 23:5
Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.

Hosea 2:13
I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she burned incense to them, when she adorned herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers. But Me she forgot,” declares the LORD.

Zephaniah 1:4-5
“I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all who dwell in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests— / those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,

Deuteronomy 32:16-21
They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. / They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear. / You ignored the Rock who brought you forth; you forgot the God who gave you birth. ...

1 Kings 11:4-8
For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been. / Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. / So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely. ...

2 Chronicles 28:23-25
He sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him, and he said, “Because the gods of the kings of Aram have helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But these gods were the downfall of Ahaz and of all Israel. / Then Ahaz gathered up the articles of the house of God, cut them into pieces, shut the doors of the house of the LORD, and set up altars of his own on every street corner in Jerusalem. / In every city of Judah he built high places to offer incense to other gods, and so he provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers.

Acts 7:42-43
But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

1 Corinthians 10:20-22
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too. / Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?


Treasury of Scripture

The incense that you burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, you, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?

and in

Jeremiah 9:17
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come:

Jeremiah 11:13
For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.

Ezekiel 16:24
That thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street.

did

Jeremiah 14:10
Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

1 Samuel 15:3
Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

1 Kings 17:18
And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

Jump to Previous
Burned Burning Cities Fathers Forefathers Heads Heart Incense Jerusalem Judah Kings Memory Mind Offered Offering Perfume Perfumes Princes Remember Remembered Rulers Sacrifices Smoking Streets Think Towns
Jump to Next
Burned Burning Cities Fathers Forefathers Heads Heart Incense Jerusalem Judah Kings Memory Mind Offered Offering Perfume Perfumes Princes Remember Remembered Rulers Sacrifices Smoking Streets Think Towns
Jeremiah 44
1. Jeremiah expresses the desolation of Judah for their idolatry
11. He prophesies the destruction of those who commit idolatry in Egypt
15. The obstinacy of the Jews
20. For which Jeremiah threatens them
29. and for a sign prophesies the destruction of Egypt














As for the incense you burned
The act of burning incense in ancient Israel was deeply symbolic, often associated with worship and prayer. The Hebrew word for incense, "קְטֹרֶת" (qetoret), signifies a fragrant offering meant to rise up to God. However, in this context, the incense was not offered to Yahweh but to foreign gods, representing idolatry and spiritual adultery. This phrase highlights the people's deliberate choice to turn away from God, despite His commandments. The burning of incense to other gods was a direct violation of the first commandment, which forbids the worship of any other gods besides Yahweh.

in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem
This phrase underscores the widespread nature of the idolatry. The cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem were meant to be places where God's name was honored and His laws upheld. Historically, Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship, housing the Temple where God's presence dwelt. The mention of both cities and streets indicates that the idolatrous practices were not confined to private spaces but were public and pervasive, affecting the entire community. This public display of idolatry was a blatant rejection of God's covenant and a cause for national judgment.

you, your fathers, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land
This enumeration of different societal groups emphasizes the collective responsibility and guilt of the nation. From the common people to the highest authorities, all were complicit in the sin of idolatry. The inclusion of "fathers" suggests a generational sin, indicating that this was not a new problem but one that had persisted over time. The leaders, including kings and officials, who were supposed to guide the people in righteousness, instead led them into sin. This highlights the failure of leadership and the importance of godly leaders in maintaining a nation's spiritual health.

did the LORD not remember and bring this to mind?
This rhetorical question serves as a sobering reminder of God's omniscience and justice. The Hebrew root for "remember," "זָכַר" (zakar), implies not just recalling but also acting upon that memory. God is portrayed as one who does not overlook sin but holds people accountable. The phrase "bring this to mind" suggests that God actively considers the actions of His people and responds accordingly. In a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine judgment. It serves as a call to repentance, reminding believers that God is both just and merciful, willing to forgive those who turn back to Him.

Verse 21. - Remember them; i.e. the repeated acts of idolatry.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“As for the incense
קִטַּרְתֶּ֜ם (qiṭ·ṭar·tem)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7002: Perfume

you burned
הַקִּטֵּ֗ר (haq·qiṭ·ṭêr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire

in the cities
בְּעָרֵ֤י (bə·‘ā·rê)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of Judah
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and the streets
וּבְחֻצ֣וֹת (ū·ḇə·ḥu·ṣō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors

of Jerusalem—
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

you,
אַתֶּ֧ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

your fathers,
וַאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֛ם (wa·’ă·ḇō·w·ṯê·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

your kings,
מַלְכֵיכֶ֥ם (mal·ḵê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

your officials,
וְשָׂרֵיכֶ֖ם (wə·śā·rê·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

and the people
וְעַ֣ם (wə·‘am)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of the land—
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

did the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

not
הֲל֣וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

remember
זָכַ֣ר (zā·ḵar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

and bring
וַֽתַּעֲלֶ֖ה (wat·ta·‘ă·leh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

this to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

mind?
לִבּֽוֹ׃ (lib·bōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 44:21 The incense that you burned (Jer.)
Jeremiah 44:20
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